Hastings at Knockholt 1986

All pics 1.4.1986 copyright Steve Sainsbury/Rail Thing

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Knockholt is a small station in Kent, with a busy service. Back in 1986 it was an excellent spot to photograph a whole range of services and trains.

Top amongst these were the so-called 'Hastings' units which ran, on diesel power of course, from London Cannon Street down to Hastings via Tunbridge Wells and Battle. These were unique units, that were narrower than normal stock due to space restrictions on the Tonbridge-Hastings route. 

These would soon become history as the Tonbridge to Hastings line was electrified. This was their swansong. A few individual coaches also formed part of the 'Tadpole' units used on a few other routes.

Grantham 1986

GRANTHAM

31 119

150 101

(All 4.6.1986 copyright Steve Sainsbury/Rail Thing)

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Still being paid for travelling around the country in 1986! I dropped into Grantham pre-electrification and got these shots. I'm particularly pleased with the class 31 shot.

All this was to change of course soon after as electrification of the ECML was completed.

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Doncaster 7.7.1986

DONCASTER

56 091 Doncaster 7.7.1986

31 306 Doncaster 7.7.1986

47 228 Doncaster 7.7.1986

43 050 Doncaster 7.7.1986

E41044 Doncaster 7.7.1986

43 050 Doncaster 7.7.1986

56 091 Doncaster 7.7.1986

37 120 Doncaster 7.7.1986

(All pics 7.7.1986 copyright Steve Sainsbury/Rail Thing)

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My railway comfort zone is fairly limited - southern England and Switzerland. Outside those areas my knowledge is patchy, and gets patchier the further out I go!

I was a year into my driving job when I snatched the chance to visit Doncaster station. I knew it was a busy place, but didn't know where lines went or what traffic was carried. These pictures are from a visit of about an hour, pre-electrification of course! As well as HSTs and First Generation DMUs there were class 56s on coal trains, a class 31, class 37 and class 47. Not bad at all!

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Peterborough 1986

PETERBOROUGH

43 061 Peterborough 7.7.1986

37 168 Peterborough 7.7.1986

45 046 Peterborough 7.7.1986

(All pics 7.7.1986 copyright Steve Sainsbury/Rail Thing)

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On a trip to Peterborough in July 1986 less than an hour brought an HST, a couple of classic DMUs and a class 45 and 37 hanging around in the sidings.

The line was electrified soon afterwards, and some electrification poles are already visible in some of the shots.

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Oxford 1986

OXFORD

(All 2.7.1986 copyright Steve Sainsbury/Rail Thing)

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My only visit to Oxford (other than passing through) was on 2 July 1986. The station was busy with plenty of variety and just about all is history now, though I suspect the station is even busier these days. Oxford always had a reputation of providing a big variety from most of the old regions of BR. Back in 1986 it was just so easy, plonk yourself on a platform and just watch the classic traction come in!

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